Football Update: Barcelona equal away record beating Almeria 8-0.
Barcelona humiliates Almeria at Juegos. Barcelona thrashes the hosts 8-0, going 5-0 up in the first-half alone. The win equals Barcelona's biggest away victory in the league, an 8-0 rampage over Las Palmas in 25th of October 1959. The tally confirmed two goals from Iniesta, one own goal by captain Acasiete, one from Pedro, two by Bojan and a superb hat-trick from Messi. Barcelona couldn’t be in better form for El-Clasico, a show down against La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Almeria coach Juan Manuel Lillo was sacked inside an hour after the match, perhaps before he could defend himself. The score-line however would have been louder than any justification by Juan Manuel Lillo.
The game was energetic right from the start. Diego was put to work by Villa as soon as the 2nd minute of the outbreak. Diego Alves managed to absorb the strike. Good things were about to follow for Barcelona. Messi got the break through, after a precise one-two with Villa; he managed to bag the first goal of the match. The breakthrough came on the 16th minute. Before Almeria got on their feet, Iniesta knocked another goal thanks to a horrific clearance. This left the hosts down two goals to none only in 18 minutes. Acasiete malfunctioned as he produced an own goal on a Maxwell cross. This left the home crowd disgusted as the hosts were now three goals down.
Messi regained the spotlight after scoring the fifth goal on the rebound after a Perdo cross. Diego fumbled the ball inviting Messi to score an easy goal. With this Messi mounted the 100th Liga goal mark, all at the young age of 23. Barcelona spawned the first five goals in 36 minutes. Almeria’s hopes of a comeback were crushed pre-maturely.
Barcelona went into the half time 5-0 up. A score-line any team would be proud of. Scoring more goals now would have been an added bonus. Barcelona seemed lenient in the initial stages of the second-half. Barcelona had eased the pressure. Pedrito was subbed out for Bojan, which increased the pace of the game. 56th minute almost saw a consolation goal as Piatti’s 18-yard shot was expertly dealt by Victor Valdes.
Substitute Bojan Krkic inflicted more pain as he emerged through two defenders and bounced the ball over Diego. It was not a good night to be in Diego’s shoes. The Brazilian goal-keeper was depressed and desperate for the beating to halt. However, Messi could not run away from his hat-trick, as he scored his third from a Villa shot that bounced off Diego only to find Messi who slotted it in the goal. Messi scored six hat tricks in 2010 alone a remarkable feat. Bojan was again fed by Messi as the substitute scored his second for the night on a Messi assist. Barcelona 8-0 up in 72nd minutes.
Diego and Coach Juan Manuel Lillo were amid fire and disgust. Depression dripped down from Lillo’s face as he sat helpless witnessing one of the finest demolition this season. Barcelona eased the pressure and could not further toy with the hosts. Thus, the final tally 8-0 to Barcelona, a historic game indeed.
Valdes had to make a save only once. Barcelona defenders didn’t have much work to do as the game was concentrated in Almeria’s half most of the time. Fontas did some responsible defending and a brilliant assist to Pedrito. Maxwell’s game was attack-oriented as he did not have much defending to do, and he forced the own goal from Acasiete. Mascherano remained silent but took control of the mid-field as the strikers scored. Xavi was active in the build up of most of the goals but he could have scored as well. Pedrito scored and assisted. Villa could not score but enabled everybody to, and ripped Almeria in disarray. Messi stole the show with his magic. Bojan was a pleasant surprise and kept his calm as Messi put him in goal scoring positions.
Barcelona’s hopes are on an all time high as they buckle up for an ultimate show down with Real Madrid. It is a well anticipated match, coming soon.
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